Alan bell stolen concertina

Subject: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:12 AM

Alan Bell has had his Wheatstone Concertina ser no 28904 stolen while at Sidmouth. Any info would be helpful. Black, metal ends, 6 fold bellows.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: R. Padgett
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:36 AM

Watch out all you folkies for offers from persons you don't know and car boot sales and the like!!

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Rockhen
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:40 AM

Will keep eyes peeled. Sickening. Know if I lost my accordion I would be gutted. Is only a budget one but is mine and I've grown to love all its characteristics, even the slightly temperamental ones!
Your messages made me go and write down the serial numbers of all our instruments and put them somewhere safe. I've also taken several photos of each one as a record. Fingers crossed that Alan's concertina turns up.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: English Jon
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 09:08 AM

Notify Chris Algar, Steve Dickinson, Colin Dipper, Andy Norman etc.
Also, music room, hobgoblin etc.

To be honest, I imagine It'll disapear off the face of the earth for a few years though. Who'd nick a concertina other than a player, or someone thieving to order?

hope this helps,
Jon

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 10:26 AM

I'd keep an eye on ebay too, just in case it turns up there.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 10:56 AM

English or duet - which do we look out for?

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 10:59 AM

English - he's owned it and played it for about forty years, so it's a big loss. It's been circulated round the obvious places.

The case is in beech, made by Eddie Green.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 12:48 PM

Its a distence but I would let the Buton Box in Amherst Mass know as well .They are the most active shop in the USA .... I am so so sorry to hear this story . All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 12:55 PM

Bastards.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 12:57 PM

I just sent this thread off to concertina.net with lots of British and European readers - Tom

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From:
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:06 PM

Hi

I work for The Music Room, Cleckheaton, and will make sure we keep our eyes peeled. What a terrible thing to happen - I'd be gutted if I lost one of my instruments...

Gill Noppen-Spacie

PS I'm also newsletter of "Concertina World" for the ICA (International Concertina Association) so will put details in there too. Next issue going to printers this week...

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:24 PM

What sort of an arsehole would do that. Mind you it (and the possibility of beer-fuelled damage) is why I usually only take a crap guitar to festivals

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:49 PM

Thanks for the info. Stu

Have added it to the Lost Stolen section of the FyldeFolkForum, and the Fyldefolk web site and will keep my eyes & ears open

Pete

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:54 PM

I've got photos of several similar ones with fairly close serial numbers in my archive if thats any use e.g if he wants to post a "missing" advert.

I do hope it gets returned.

Pete

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Ralphie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:56 PM

Bugger Bugger Bugger.

Feelers out in the South East. Having lost my Fylde guitar last year, I know only too well how you must be feeling. If I lost my Duet, words fail me...

What else can I say....Bugger.

Good luck mate

Kind regards Ralph Jordan.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Ralphie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 02:04 PM

Oh, While I'm on.

We've all got digital cameras now, haven't we?

It's a sunny day isn't it?
Take all your valuables/instruments into the back garden, take pics from every angle, (particularly serial numbers / flaws etc....}not sure how many pics you can get on a CD...100/200?? How much does a CD cost ....80p?


Do it tomorrow...No..Not the day after...TOMORROW.

Sorry for the shout Ralphie and good luck Alan.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 02:10 PM

Thanks all on Alan's behalf - he claims to be a bit of a dinosaur with computers, which is why I'm posting for him. It seems it was taken from a table in the hotel while Alan moved his car - he thought it had been taken to his room by the porter with the rest of his luggage.
He had really bad (personal) family problems that transpired at the same time, so didn't notice its loss immediately

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Ralphie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 02:49 PM

Stu.
I'm assuming that you're printing all this stuff out, for that old dinosaur!!
Cheers Ralphie

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 03:02 PM

Dead right.

My belief is that the quickest way to circulate anything in the Folk World is by Mudcat.

Just by the way Ralphie, your suggestion to make a digital record is closer to the truth than you know - Alan didn't have the serial number, but we retrieved it from some promo pics that I'd done for him on digital. I was surprised at picking out a ser no from a full length shot.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Rasener
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 03:49 PM

Mick Peat and Lester Simpson just announced it on Folkwaves on Radio Derbyshire.

I hope it is found.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 03:50 PM

Be sure to take one of yourself (or the owner) with it and any receipts so you can confirm that it is actually yours..

LTS

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Jake
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 03:54 PM

Don Nichols has a stolen concertina site at -

http://www.d-and-d.com/tinas/stolen.html

There is also a more general stolen instrument site at -

http://www.stolengear.ukart.com/

Tell Alan to spread the word as widely as possible.
regards Jake

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Rasener
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 04:28 PM

Dont think its this one, but saw it on Ebay and thought I would put the link on here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Collectible-Rock-Chidley-English-Concertina-For-repair_W0QQitemZ7342170910QQcategoryZ16218QQssPageNameZWDV

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 04:58 PM

Alan was staying in the Bedford at the beginning of the festival, and left after the weekend, so presumably the theft occurred over a week ago. Best wishes for recovery.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Robin Madge
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 07:36 AM

Some of just get lucky. Someone tried to sell me my own concertina after it was stolen, so I got it back. It still took a while to go through the courts though, and even with my name written on it.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 07:50 AM

Sorry to hear this but the thread name is a bit confusing.
I thought it was indicating the Alan had stolen someone else's concertina!

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Tradsinger
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 01:37 PM

To have an instrument stolen after having it for 40 years is like losing a limb. Real bummer.

All I can say is get all your instruments insured. I use www.musicansinsurance.co.uk (and no, I'm not an agent of theirs).

Hope Alan gets it back and the thief gets time.

Gwilym

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Fliss
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 02:14 PM

How awful for Alan. I play English concertina and Ive had mine for 40 years or more. It would be like losing an old friend if it went missing.

I must take some pics of my 'new' one before I go to Ireland. Both mine are Lachenal 48 key. Onew is c1880's the other 1930's. I took up playing again 5 years ago and have surprised myself with my ability to learn tunes.

Met Alan at a workshop day 'up north' the other year. I acted as chauffeuse to my pal Dave Harris, who ran the bodhran workshop. I went on the melodeon workshop with my concertina and learned how to put some bounce into tunes.

I looked for years for 'Bread and Fishes', by Alan, then once I started using the web I surfed for Fylde FF and emailed Alan. Hey Presto I have a copy of his song book.

Hope you track down the rascals Alan.

fliss xx

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 02:53 PM

Not on the Stolen Musical Instrument Database. Has it been recovered?

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 06:54 PM

No, not recovered - now on site given

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 10:14 PM

Dearest Al - do not think the thing is enough a pal - to go posting himself?

Are you his toady?
His come and fetch it?

The boy seeking something to blow high in the riggin?

Ahhhh....Haaaawww.... a wannabe
Attempting imortality????

Come one the gypsies, tramps and theives combined with the buskers ALL desire a descent livelihood. It ain't his, it is our's, it belongs now...to US.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 10 Aug 05 - 02:02 AM

If you'd been reading the thread, Guest, you'd have read that Alan isn't very computer literate. Besides, friends like to help out. But I daresay you wouldn't know about that, would you?

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 10 Aug 05 - 06:35 AM

Looks like that last guest may have some info.

Hope you get it back Alan. Eyes and ears are open.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Alan Day
Date: 10 Aug 05 - 06:56 AM

I go to a lot of auctions,I will keep watch in the South East.
It is worth talking to your Insurance Society and it is possible to insure your concertina(or musical instrument)against theft when you take it out of the house.I know how I would feel if one of mine was stolen, but at least I could afford to replace it with the Insurance money.A correct valuation is required(an Auction House will do this) with photos or video.In this case it is too late, but may assist many of you who have not thought of it.
On another site we discussed the possibility of micro chipping instruments but it would need a large number of participants to make it viable.
I am very grateful to all of you who have set up this theft network and I just hope I never have to call on its services.
Al

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Aug 05 - 12:08 PM

Consider contact EBay and other on line auction sites. If it does show up, at least they cannot claim ignorance.

In addition, consider registering your instruments with a good provenance registry, such as www.provenance registry.com. [Full disclosure: I own this.] Although the services are oriented toward art, any valuable can and should be protected with a good listing.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 10 Aug 05 - 10:10 PM

Dearest Al - do not think the thing is enough a pal - to go posting himself?

Are you his toady?
His come and fetch it?

The boy seeking something to blow high in the riggin?

Ahhhh....Haaaawww.... a wannabe
Attempting imortality????

Come one the gypsies, tramps and theives combined with the buskers ALL desire a descent livelihood. It ain't his, it is our's, it belongs now...to US.

I presume it is possible to track the above poster from the log/ip address? either a moron or connected with the theft (or both)

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 11:43 AM

To be honest Pete I thought the poster was drunk or otherwise incapacitated.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 12:36 PM

Person of no importance, and even less intelligence trying to get noticed, ignore it.
G..

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 01:28 PM

Stu - maybe

is Phil Brown aware? I'm in the process of emailing him with forthcoming events and if not I'll include a reference.

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 01:37 PM

Don't know Pete, so yes please.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 10:27 PM

done!

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: alanww
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 08:04 AM

Best of all news - Alan has just heard from Hobgoblin in Birmingham that they have held his concertina from someone wanting to sell it.

There will be some formalities no doubt; it's currently in the police station.

So thanks all who passed around the info.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: rumanci
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 08:08 AM

Thanks alanww for letting us know the latest news.

Just ..........Great !!!!

May Alan Bell and his Wheatstone be reunited soon. They've got some catching up to do. :-D

rum

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Eye Lander
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 08:28 AM

Excellent News - from someone who has only owned her Wheatstone for less than a year I would still be mortified if I lost it and I am now going to look into special insurance thanks to tradsinger.

Jillie

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 10:27 AM

Great News Stu - will there be a re-union party?

will update the relivant sites etc when you confirm the good news (not yours and Rusty's usual log-on name).

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 10:42 AM

Wonderful news! The good guys win this time.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 11:12 AM

Great news! And good to know the thief obviously wasn't a musician, or he wouldn't have tried to sell where he did ...

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: English Jon
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 11:22 AM

hmmm...not sure about that...musicians do frequent music shops occasionally...but whether the thief was a musician or not is kind of beside the point. This is great news for Alan...Now can Ralphie have his guitar back.....?

Nice to have some good news.
EJ

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 12:13 PM

I suspect it may have been offered to the Hobgoblin stand at Sidders, and gone back to Birmingham by that route. Possibly the person running the stand would not have had the knowledge or authority to buy it there. May even have paid over some money in advance with balance to follow when sold. Or perhaps I'm just fantasing.
Giok

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Alan Day
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 12:37 PM

Fantastic news.
If the person is a Folky he/she wants naming and banning from all future events.
Feel better now Penny Black ?
Al

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 01:20 PM

Alan Day "Feel better now Penny Black"

confused??? (but that's not unusual)

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: nutty
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 02:50 AM

According to Alan ....... the concertina was taken into the Hobgoblin Shop in Birmingham and offered for sale.
Hobgoblin staff recognised it as stolen as they had been advised of the registration number.
The police were called and the person trying to sell it was arrested.
The police rang Alan, who was at Saltburn Folk Festival, to say it had been recovered.
Alan is dying to get his hands on it again He said he was amazed and very grateful that so many people had been so concerned and so helpful.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 02:53 AM

Just love those happy endings!!

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Ralphie
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 02:58 AM

Great News.

A lesson to us all.
Take photographs, note serial numbers, insurance...etc, etc.
Fine work by the Hobgoblin shop too.

So, if you have anything nicked, pass on all details to any relevant shops/dealers. Not forgetting places such as this.
Didn't work for me with my guitar, sadly. But, I'm so pleased for Alan.

Losing a guitar is one thing, but if I ever lost my Concertina....

Well done, and may the little scrote who took the instrument in the first place, get the punishment he deserves.

Ralphie

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:26 AM

I'm so glad Alan's got his concertina back. I was looking. and listening, along with many others in The Bedford, and poor Alan was quite distraught. I'm so glad that this has had a positive result for him. The irony is that he had travelled all the way to Sidmouth to support the festival, which shows what a true gentleman he is, and this and other things happened to him. I sincerely hope that he will be at Sidmouth next year. In the meantime, my best wishes to you Alan. See you at Fylde
John Barden

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Kaleea
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:40 AM

Ah, the power of the Mudcat! When 'Catters the world over have a need, be it illness, loss of family & friends (instrumental, canine or feline) it's a wonderful thing that we all rally 'round with encouragement & prayers. Just knowing that folks all over the planet care can be truly amazing! If my dearest old 1964 J45 Gibson-my companion of many decades-were stolen I would feel brokenhearted by the loss.

No telling how many Musicians and other good folks have lost their posessions by the creep's hands. Let us pray that the creep's hands will be watched by angels & Musicians where ever he goes, especially when instruments are around.

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: R. Padgett
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 04:29 AM

Alan announced the finding of his Concertina on Sunday am after teh Meet John Tams/ Barry Coupe and Vin Garbut meet in the Spa

We were all very pleased at the outcome for Alan

ps Vin in good form and getting better

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Hobgoblin Birmingham
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 11:38 AM

Hello All,

My name is Mark McCabe, I'm manager of the Hobgoblin Music shop in Birmingham. I was the one who was lucky enough to be able to spot and retrieve Alan's concertina last Saturday when it came into the shop. I'd just like to say how glad we are that the concertina has been found and is returning to Alan in the same condition as it was when it was stolen. It's always a pleasure to help fellow musicians, especially those working on the folk scene. I am more than happy to receive details, via email, of other peoples stolen instruments so that we can be aware of what to look out for. I can be contacted at Hobgoblin Birmingham on 0121 772 7780 or [e-mail]

All the best,

Mark

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 01:22 PM

I've been uploading photo's on my instruments to http://www.snapfish.co.uk (although there are plenty similar sites)and adding detailed description including serial number etc.

There's no limited on the amount of pictures uploaded, you can link to them, email the link to anyone (Hobgoblin? Police etc), get prints etc. and as you can log-on from any networked PC you can even sort things out whilst away from home Festivals etc.


get them digital cameras clicking before it's too late - not every story has a happy ending like this one.

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 06:22 PM

Great great news. Thanks Mark for the eagle eye at the right moment !! Ah a happy ending .. All the best , guy

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Ralphie
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 07:10 PM

Hey Mark at HobGobs Brum.
Nicely spotted, Well done!
Can you still keep an eye out for my 1974 Fylde, Nicked last Autumn. Maple back and sides. serial number 174 (ish!) certainly 3 digits. Fitted with a Dual Fishman pickup, in a case with "James Patterson" on the neck.
Would love to have the same result that Mr Bell has had the good fortune to acheive.
Regards to you all
Ralpph Jordan

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Fliss
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 08:00 PM

Brilliant, so glad for ALan.

Must take a picky of my Lachenal and put down its serial no before I go to Ireland next week.

fliss

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 08:22 PM

Can a JoeClone amend the thread title now please? I came in here to check on progress to find there was no need.... title is now redundant and could do with amendment.

Thanks.

And I'm glad he got his instrument back, even if it is a concertina..... If anyone wants to get their hands on 4-5 melodeons, just let me know and I can leave the back door on the latch....!

LTS

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 04:10 AM

You could always hope they take the player too Liz, it would save you from all that snoring you mentioned!
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 04:15 AM

I left a melodeon and a banjo in my car with the window open. When I got back I had 3 more melodeons and 7 banjos...

:D

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 05:11 AM

We were at a meeting with Alan last night. He was delighted with all the help and has asked me to pass on heartfelt thanks to all. He has notified the Bedford (who had been very upset) and talked to the local press at Sidmouth (who had learned of the recovery from Mudcat).

He found it astounding that many many people at Saltburn knew of the loss and the recovery as they occured, and touching that so many were concerned at the loss of his Wheatstone and overjoyed at its recovery.

Pete - my strange login was from an internet cafe in Saltburn: don't nkow why. Perhaps an open connection existed on the computer I used.

Well done all and thanks.

Stu

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:09 PM

Hi Stu - it was strange but I confirmed the details and updated everything. Glad the two "Old 'uns" are reunited :-)

C U at Fylde if not before - you've now got something for the front page of the "Penny Dreadful"

PB

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: s&r
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:14 PM

Good thinking!

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: Alan Day
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 06:09 PM

My apoligies to you Penny Black,I thought you had written the nasty note regarding this stolen concertina and in fact you were quoting it.
The original having been deleted.
It was me that was confused not you.
Sorry !! I will slap my wrist accordingly.
Al

Subject: RE: Alan bell stolen concertina
From: PennyBlack
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 07:37 PM

Alan - no problems we're used to confusion being an all male, 3 piece duo called "Penny Black"! :0)

PB